December 2014 Geocacher Profile

The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought Randy and Janie Elder aka RJElder should be the next cachers to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name?RJElder

How did you choose your handle?Our names are Randy and Janie Elder so it is just a combination of our first initials and last name. Wecache as a team.

How long have you been geocaching?Just over 2 years. We started on Aug. 4th, 2012.

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it?A niece of our son in law was at a family gathering and asked if we had heard of geocaching. Some had heard of it but most had not. She had just started and knew of one close to where we were at the time. There were 7 or 8 of us who loaded up in our Suburban and headed out. Our very first that trip was GC203TY Donít Fence me Out. This was a good hide but we were kind of a tag along on that find still trying to understand what was going on and didnít even sign that log or record it that day. The next one we tuned in as we got the app installed on our phones as we went to GC3CG6J - SCCC Hicks Cemetery. It was like the keystone cops with everyone trying to figure out how to follow the maps and compass. We searched and searched then heard those words: Found It by the niece who had taken us on this journey. It was a very good hide and not sure we would have ever found it without her. Needless to say we were hooked and never looked back.

Who usually goes with you when you go caching?Most of the time it is the 2 of us but we also love to cache as a group with our daughter and her family or Janie's sister and brother in law.

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up?Don't know the answer because there are some that are unsolved still after months and still haven't given up yet. Randy is more interested in puzzles.

What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in?We enjoy caching around Hot Springs, Dallas TX on business trips and in our childhood hometown of Jackson TN. Guess our true favorite is where ever we are at the time.

Do you do paperless caching?yes

What kind of geocaching rig do you use?Android phones with C:GEO app and Garmin Gpsmap 62sc

Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching?It is a hobby that can be great fun for the whole family or individuals. Caching as a couple we have spent more quality time together in the past couple of years than the previous 5 or 10 before that. We especially love the relationships that have been formed in meeting others who enjoy this hobby either at events or on the trail. When we travel it has helped us discover places, history, and interesting facts we would never have been exposed to.

Where are you originally from?Both of us are from Jackson, TN but have lived in central Arkansas most of our adult lives since 1976.

In what states have you geocached?Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Nevada, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin in the US then also in Quebec Canada and Serbia

What was your first event ever attended?GC3TA8H - ArkGeo October Meet and Greet - Bryant (Oct 6th, 2012) Hosted by Ron White. We met some seasoned cachers and others who were new forming friendships that we greatly value.

How many caches have you found?2,575

Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest?Homemade containers.

What was the most famous cache that you have found?GC28 Beverly (oldest cache in IL) or GC9CBB THE Grotto in Memphis

Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries?Rechargeable

Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby?Finding more but have started placing a few.

Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide?Sometimes we have a goal in mind but it differs with each situation.

What is your favorite type of cache hide?Those that have history or take you to beautiful locations.

Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in?As of now the Cedar Mini Series in Jackson TN (GC45B5B, GC45BEZ, GC45BFY, GC45BG8, GC491R8, GC45BGG, GC491RQ and GC45BGN).

What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh?Donít think there is any blanket ratio but rather to hide as many as can be well maintained. It does help to get a variety of new hides from cachers who are committed to the sport.

How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby?Janie heard about it a long time ago around the time it first started but didnít know it was something anyone could do. The story of our first adventure is related in the question about the first find and we were pretty hooked at that time but later spending time on the computer realizing how massive the number of caches were was a trigger for Randy. A cache which gave us a lot of trouble early on as we branched out on our own and was a key part of opening our eyes to the creativity in the hobby was GC244V9 Guarding Lyle Park. We have used this hide very close to our home as a hook to entice several new cachers into the sport.

What's your favorite geocache?No way to agree on just one but we really like the field puzzles like I.C. Series in Cabot (examples GC3835K, GC52EV7, GC4R9ZW, GC2P3VH, GC2P2D5), GC1MPNC Drive you to Drink in Hot Springs or GC4QPMZ - a - MAZE - ing Cache in Jackson TN.

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching?All over the world but especially in all 50 states. Would like to take extended trips to the Northwest and Northeast of the US.

Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group?Group

How many First to Finds do you have?87

Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications?Yes, we are pretty much ready to go when they pop up. Distance set at 50 miles both in Central Arkansas and around Jackson TN. If they are north of the river usually wonít go because too much competition up there.

Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching? Not much anymore. Randy used to play softball and bowl but age has taken its toll on those activities. Janie likes reading and shopping.